Taxis in Salvador

Salvador Taxis

Taking a taxi in Salvador is a great option for beating the crowds and the summer heat in this vibrant Brazilian city. Around 7,000 taxis can be found on the streets, each sporting the official snow-white colour with a red and blue stripe horizontally wrapped around the vehicle. While a Salvador taxi may not always be the cheapest option, vehicles must be air-conditioned, less than seven years old and seat between 4 and 6 passengers, so you can always expect a comfortable journey. 

Official taxis are government-regulated and must use a taximeter to calculate each fare, and drivers must display their registration details inside the cab. It’s easy to take a cab, you can either hail one from the street or walk to a nearby taxi stand. Phoning a company directly is also very popular, or you can ask your hotel to call on your behalf which is helpful if your Portuguese is limited. 

Bear in mind that there is a second type of taxi service in Salvador called Cooperative taxis. Each cooperative has its own distinct vehicle colour and company logo. Unlike regular taxis, Cooperative taxis can’t be hailed from the street, they can only be booked via phone and are generally more expensive.

Salvador taxi prices

Regular taxis in Salvador don’t offer fixed fare rates, instead, prices are calculated using a taximeter based on the distance travelled, the time of day and the amount of time the vehicle stands still, which may apply during transit or if your driver has to wait. Taxi prices in Salvador are set by the local government so as long as the meter is in use, you can feel assured that you are getting a fair price. 

There are two flag rates to be aware of:

Flag 1 (06:00 – 21:00, Monday to Friday)
Base rate: €1 (BRL 5.90)
Price per km: €0.50 (BRL 2.95)
Waiting/stopping time per hr: €5 (BRL 29.51)

Flag 2 (21:00 – 06:00, Monday to Saturday, all day Sundays and public holidays)
Base rate: €1 (BRL 5.90)
Price per km: €0.70 (BRL 4.12)
Waiting/stopping time per hr: €5 (BRL 29.51)

Flag rate 2 will also be applied to rides to and from Salvador Airport, for the entire month of December and when there are more than 3 passengers. Salvador taxi rates include luggage, however, they don’t include toll road fees which will be added to the final fare. 

If you choose to take a Cooperative taxi, the fixed rate should either be on display in the taxi or negotiated before departing. Similarly, current flag rates for regular taxis should always be in view of the passenger.

What our customers say about Welcome

5.0

Write a Review

Samantha

"Anabelia, our tour guide was wonderful. She guided us through history and food and made great suggestions and enabled us to understand Greek culture and the food. I would highly recommend this tour.”

Load more reviews

Read all reviews

Kencfranks

United Kingdom

"Great Drivers”

Reviewed Sept. 2015

Great drivers very polite helpful knowledgeable clean comfortable cars what more could you want, They even email you a picture of the driver. will always use them in the future, what a great find!

Reviews loading...

More

How to get a taxi in Salvador

Official Salvador taxis can easily be spotted on the street; just look for their signature red and blue stripes and a lit-up ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof which indicates whether they’re available. Drivers also need to display a price list and their driver registration details. Hailing a cab works much the same as it does in other cities, simply hold out your arm when you see an available taxi approaching and wait for them to pull over, although don’t expect your driver to speak much English.

Another way to grab a taxi is to walk to one of the taxi ranks – a ponto de táxi – located every few blocks across the city. These are usually signposted with a blue sign and white ‘TAXI’ lettering or an image of a taxi. Some of the most popular places to find a taxi include transport hubs, hotels, shopping centres and tourist hotspots such as Bahia Marina, Mercado Modelo, Elevador Lacerda and Pelourinho.

How to get a taxi from Salvador Bahia Airport
The taxi stand at Salvador (SSA) Airport is located just outside the arrivals area of the terminal. When you exit the baggage claim area, follow the signs for ground transportation or taxis, and you will see the designated taxi stand where licensed taxis are available. Note that there are only two taxi companies allowed to operate from the airport and there is a taxi information desk in the Arrivals Hall where staff can assist you and inform you of prices. In general, a taxi from Salvador Airport to the city centre costs between €16.50 and €24.80 (BRL 100 – 150).

How to get a taxi from the Port of Salvador
After disembarking, follow the signs directing passengers to the taxi stand. As you exit through the main doors of the Passenger Terminal, you will find the designated stand right in front where you can take the first taxi in line. You can reach the historical centre from the port in less than 10 minutes by taxi and the cost will be around €2.50 (BRL 15.20).

How to get a taxi from Elevador Lacerda
The Elevador Lacerda is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, connecting the lower and upper parts of the city. Whether you’re going up or down, you’ll find a taxi stand at either end. On the upper level, the stand is on the corner of Ladeira da Praca and Rua Chile. On the lower end, the taxi stand can be found along Rua da Conceição da Praia.

How to get a taxi from Lapa Station
Taxis aren’t allowed to pick up passengers from directly outside the metro station, however, it is just a short walk to reach the official taxi stand. As you exit the station, walk down Avenida Vale do Tororó and continue walking until you pass all of the bus bays. Following that, you should see a long line of taxis lined up waiting. From here to the city’s historic centre, Pelourinho, the drive takes about 8 minutes and should cost €2.70 (BRL 16.6).

How to get a taxi from Mercado Modelo
Located near the waterfront, the Mercado Modelo is a tourist hot spot that very few miss which is why you’ll want to know how to escape the heat and the hustle and bustle once you’re done shopping. Taxis can’t pull up along the main road, however, behind the market towards the waterfront at the entrance to the marina, there is a dedicated taxi stand. From here, you can take a metered taxi to the historical centre in around 10 minutes for around €2.50 (BRL 15.30)

Most popular Salvador taxi apps

If you’re outside the main city areas where taxis aren’t as abundant or prefer the convenience of booking a taxi and entering your destination in English, you can arrange a taxi in Salvador with an app. The most widely used ride-hailing services include Uber and 99, both of which can be used at the airport too.

That being said, the most reliable and convenient way to get to and from Salvador Airport is to book a private transfer in advance. You can pay for your fare upfront at a set rate fee with no hidden extras and select a time and place to be picked up with the assurance of a guaranteed on-time pickup and 24/7 customer service.

Useful Salvador taxi numbers

If you prefer not to install an app or don’t want to rely on having a WiFi connection, you can phone one of several taxi Salvador numbers to arrange a callout. Hotels are also usually happy to arrange one on someone’s behalf but keep in mind that there may be an additional charge. Some well-known companies include:

Elitte Taxis: +55 (71) 3432-4040
Coop Radio Taxis: +55 (71) 3357 7777
Coopteletaxi: +55 (71) 3033 3333

From the airport, you have the choice of two accredited taxi companies:

Taxi Comtas: +55 (71) 3252-1315
Taxi Coometas: +55 (71) 3244-4500

Salvador taxi tips

Benefits of booking your taxi in Salvador in advance

If you want to make the most of your time in Salvador and spend time exploring rather than worrying about how to get from A to B, then arranging your taxi or airport taxi in advance through a company like Welcome Pickups is a great idea. Take advantage of knowing the cost of your fare upfront, English-speaking drivers, personalised routes and comfortable and safe vehicles. Forget walking up Salvador’s steep street on a hot day, or trying to understand bus timetables in Portuguese, when you book your transfer you can relax knowing that everything is taken care of for you.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Salvador

Unfortunately, finding a taxi company that provides specially adapted vehicles for wheelchairs in Salvador isn’t easy. Nevertheless, if you have a foldable wheelchair, it’s possible to store it in the back while you ride. 

For peace of mind that you’ll be travelling with a driver who can assist you, we suggest booking a taxi in advance such as those provided through Welcome Pickups.

Salvador taxi safety and complaints

Taking a taxi from the street in Salvador is overall considered safe, especially if you are travelling to and from popular tourist areas. Outside of these zones, and at night, it might be best to book a ride over the phone, via an app or in advance with a trusted company like Welcome. Note that disagreements between regular taxis and ride-hailing drivers can occur, although this shouldn’t involve the passenger.

Furthermore, it pays to keep an eye on the meter and to follow your route on Google Maps to make sure your driver is taking you along the most direct route at the correct fare. If you do encounter any issues, it’s best to call the taxi company directly with details of the driver’s ID and registration and the taxi license number. Alternatively, you can phone the local police on +55 (71) 3116-6817.

Frequently asked questions

How much do taxis cost in Salvador?

Regular taxis in Salvador don’t offer set rate fees, instead, they use a taximeter to calculate their fares based on the distance travelled. They are very affordable, however, and you can expect a short 10-minute ride downtown to cost around €2.50 (BRL 15.20).

Are taxis in Salvador safe?

You can feel safe knowing that taxis in Salvador are highly regulated and drivers are required to be registered and undergo specific training. That being said, only take taxis from official taxi ranks and always look for the registration details which should be on display in the front of the vehicle. If you do encounter any issues, take down the driver and vehicle details to make a complaint with the taxi company directly. You can book with a reputable company ahead of time such as Welcome Pickups for peace of mind.

Do you tip taxis in Salvador?

Tipping isn’t a requirement in Salvador and your driver will usually lend a hand with luggage regardless. That being said, if you choose to leave a tip, rounding up the fare or letting the driver keep the change is sufficient.